ConocoPhillips has confirmed a second natural gas discovery offshore Australia, strengthening the commercial case for further exploration in the Otway Basin and underscoring the region’s growing importance to the country’s tightening east coast gas market.

Gas has been confirmed at the Charlemont-1 exploration well offshore Victoria after the successful recovery of a representative gas sample, validating the Charlemont Trend. The well is located in permit VIC/P79, operated by ConocoPhillips, with partners Korea National Oil Corporation and Australia-based 3D Energi.

According to 3D Energi, gas was intersected in the Waarre C sandstone, where wireline logging and modular formation dynamics testing directly confirmed the presence of hydrocarbons. The gas intersection was not anticipated prior to drilling, adding an element of upside to the discovery. Preliminary compositional analysis indicates a carbon dioxide concentration of around 16 mol%, broadly comparable to the nearby La Bella gas field approximately seven kilometers to the east.

In addition, elevated gas readings and resistivity responses were recorded in the Waarre A sandstone, suggesting probable hydrocarbon presence, although further petrophysical analysis will be required to determine volumes and commercial potential.

Charlemont-1 appraised the down-dip extent of the Charlemont Trend, a prospect chain extending toward the La Bella discovery. The results demonstrate gas charge at both ends of the trend, effectively de-risking several intervening prospects that show consistent seismic amplitude anomalies.

The Charlemont discovery follows the earlier Essington gas find and represents the second success under the Otway Exploration Drilling Program. Together, the results reinforce the prospectivity of the Charlemont cluster and highlight the effectiveness of an infrastructure-led exploration strategy, with discoveries located close to existing offshore gas production and processing facilities.

“Phase 1 of the Otway Exploration Drilling Program has identified important new gas resources near existing infrastructure, supplying the Australian domestic market,” said Noel Newell, executive chairman of 3D Energi. He added that the discovery enhances development optionality, subject to further technical and commercial evaluation.

Charlemont-1 is located around 55 kilometers offshore Victoria in approximately 110 meters of water. ConocoPhillips holds a 51% operating interest in the permit, with Korea National Oil Corporation holding 29% and 3D Energi 20%. No decision has yet been made on further drilling.

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